Easier said than done. One man groaned when he lifted out of his last push-up.

Another grimaced, his arms quivering uncontrollably, as he held the plank position.

Rivers of sweat streamed down their necks.

Staying in shape is hard work — even for firefighters.

The high-intensity workout was part of the Clearwater Fire & Rescue's Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week, an annual event in which firefighters around the world participate in workshops and training sessions to learn techniques for staying safe on the job.

This year's theme is "Fit for Duty," and on Wednesday, dozens of Clearwater firefighters went through a rotation of tutorials on nutrition, weight management, safe weight-lifting techniques and tips for staying fit.

"We're not going to put them on an Ironman course with this workout," said Doug Swartz, assistant chief for health and safety. "But these workouts will help them do their jobs safely, without injuries."

What people often don't realize is that firefighters need help with sticking to an exercise routine, eating healthy and keeping their weight down, just like the rest of us, said Gomillion, the head peer fitness trainer at Clearwater Fire & Rescue.

Back, knee and shoulder injuries are especially common among firefighters, Gomillion said, and firefighters account for more than their fair share of workers' compensation losses in the city of Clearwater. Proper weight lifting could cut down on those types of injuries, he said.